buy a set of 5 string strings for thicker gauge? or is it my tuner? just cant get the b on my 4, thanks!
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how do you get a B on a 4 string?
- Thread starter yeggi
- Start date
I'm really not sure whether you're asking about:
1) if you should buy a 5 string set to get appropriately gauged strings
2) you're trying to downtune an E string to B and your electronic tuner won't register
3) you physically can't fit a B string into a tuner on your bass, or
4) you have a B string that won't fit into the nut.
If you want help, you gotta help us out a bit and explain the problem a bit more clearly.
Sugar always works.. some times it attracts ants and hornets too.
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Do you mean BEAD tuning.. it's a 4 string set with the G thrown out..
You commonly have to alter the bass to make it work.
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Do you mean BEAD tuning.. it's a 4 string set with the G thrown out..
You commonly have to alter the bass to make it work.
Buy 5 string set, throw away the G, and...uh... have your nut filed to fit the strings. (They make 4 string sets in the right gauge too, but you won't find those at your local guitar store.) A little setup, and ... presto.
You'll miss the G string tho. I never thought I would, but I do.
You'll miss the G string tho. I never thought I would, but I do.
This is copy and pasted from a post I made about this a few days ago with a few additions because I'm not 100% what you're going for. Hope it helps.
On a 4 string you could do like Paul Gray of Slipknot did and get a set of power slinkys (55-110) and drop the tuning to B F# B E.
The other option would be to buy a 5 string set (and discard the G, leaving you with a BEAD set) or get a 4 string pack like DR's DDT strings, which is a essentially a 5 string set without the G. If you do strings such as these (ballpark 65-130) you could tune the B to standard, then tune UP the E to F#, the A to B, and the D to E.
Going that route eliminates loose/rattling strings altogether (if that is the sound you're going for, I'd recommend going the 4 string power slinky set or something equivalent to that). Just be careful because depending how your bass is setup, the size of your nut, etc. it may not be a perfect match.
My band decided to do some songs in that same tuning and, after considering my options, I ended up just using a 5 string tuned to B F# B E G#.
Hope that something in there was helpful.
Also, the above information is if you want a "Drop B" tuning. If you are still wanting a standard tuning with a B (BEAD), then the same info will still apply in general.
On a 4 string you could do like Paul Gray of Slipknot did and get a set of power slinkys (55-110) and drop the tuning to B F# B E.
The other option would be to buy a 5 string set (and discard the G, leaving you with a BEAD set) or get a 4 string pack like DR's DDT strings, which is a essentially a 5 string set without the G. If you do strings such as these (ballpark 65-130) you could tune the B to standard, then tune UP the E to F#, the A to B, and the D to E.
Going that route eliminates loose/rattling strings altogether (if that is the sound you're going for, I'd recommend going the 4 string power slinky set or something equivalent to that). Just be careful because depending how your bass is setup, the size of your nut, etc. it may not be a perfect match.
My band decided to do some songs in that same tuning and, after considering my options, I ended up just using a 5 string tuned to B F# B E G#.
Hope that something in there was helpful.
Also, the above information is if you want a "Drop B" tuning. If you are still wanting a standard tuning with a B (BEAD), then the same info will still apply in general.
